Here is what I found out: http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B10501_01/server.920/a96653/create_ls.htm#1071517 By default, all SQL statements except those in the following list are applied to a logical standby database if they are executed on a primary database: ALTER DATABASE ALTER SESSION ALTER SNAPSHOT ALTER SNAPSHOT LOG ALTER SYSTEM SWITCH LOG CREATE CONTROL FILE CREATE DATABASE CREATE DATABASE LINK CREATE PFILE FROM SPFILE CREATE SCHEMA AUTHORIZATION CREATE SNAPSHOT CREATE SNAPSHOT LOG CREATE SPFILE FROM PFILE CREATE TABLE AS SELECT FROM A CLUSTER TABLE DROP DATABASE LINK DROP SNAPSHOT DROP SNAPSHOT LOG EXPLAIN LOCK TABLE RENAME SET CONSTRAINTS SET ROLE SET TRANSACTION ALTER DATABASE will be skipped but ALTER TABLESPACE will be applied.